The changing of the autumn leaves not only calls us to appreciate the beauty of everything around us, but also the beauty in ourselves. Trees don’t worry about if the colors of their leaves are as vibrant or of similar hue or gradient to the ones next to them. They simply allow their colors to express and change as they will. Similarly, when people are in their “flow” and feel completely present, they feel safe enough to be their authentic selves and let their true colors show. This is beautiful. Individuality and difference are nothing to be ashamed of, and the fall leaves invite us to embrace diversity.
Probably one of the most pronounced aspects of Fall is how trees let go of their leaves to prepare for some needed rest (dormancy) during the winter. Trees are not clinging to their leaves as if they are afraid of losing them. Nor are they are not mourning for the ones that have fallen. There is a natural rhythm and intuition associated with letting go and shedding what is no longer suiting you. Fall shows us that it’s ok to let things go, rest, and prepare for better things to come. You may recognize a deep feeling in your gut that something doesn’t feel quite right to you, a general unease. This may be in indication that it is time to let something go. It could be anything: a job, a friend, a significant relationship, or no longer putting energy into things that don’t fulfill you.
Turning to nature and contemplating its cycles provides us with many helpful and relevant applications to our own lives. Letting go can be a powerful way of honoring yourself. A simple meditation to try based on this; Visualize letting go of something just as trees let go of their leaves—letting it just float on the breeze and no longer carrying the weight or responsibility for that particular thing that doesn’t resonate anymore. Then allowing yourself to feel the relief of its absence in your life. The season of Fall is a time to harvest what was planted or sewn in the Spring and cultivated through the Summer. The idea of a harvest also reminds us that it is totally ok to celebrate our accomplishments! All too often people feel as if it is being narcissistic to give themselves a pat on the back or to desire recognition for what they have done. Sharing is part of human nature, and true friends will find joy in celebrating your accomplishments with you.
Life is full of cycles. Endings and beginnings. The natural cycles of the Earth’s closeness to the sun helps to determine the seasons, so nothing is constant. This helps to remind us that we should enjoy our moments of happiness, no matter how small, but also to honor our moments of pain because those too will eventually lessen in intensity and ultimately pass for us to find some joy again. Fall helps us learn to embrace the fluidity of life and appreciate all of its moments. Take it from the trees, shedding our leaves and resting is a-okay!
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